Big Banks Team Up To Develop Blockchain Settlement System

Wall Street's increasing focus on digital currency technology has been affirmed yet again with the recent teaming up of a group of financial giants for the development of Utility Settlement Coin (USC). It is a digital cash model based on blockchain that aims to facilitate payment and settlement for global institutional financial markets.

Swiss banking giant UBS Group AG (NYSE:UBS) and London-based Clearmatics initiated USC last September “to validate the potential benefits of USC for capital efficiency, settlement and systemic risk reduction in global financial markets”. The successful conclusion of the first phase of this project led to the joining of Deutsche Bank AG (NYSE:DB) , The Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (NYSE:BK) , Banco Santander (MC:SAN), S.A. (NYSE:SAN) and brokerage ICAP (LON:IAP) to develop the concept further. The group also plans to undertake test in a real market environment.

USC is a series of cash assets implemented on distributed ledger technology and is entirely backed by cash assets held at a central bank. With a version for each of the main currencies including USD, EUR, GBP and CHF, USC would be convertible at parity with a bank deposit in the related currency. According to a joint release, spending a USC will be equivalent to spending its real-world currency.

The group of financial institutions will focus on the financial structuring of the USC and its implications in the broader market. Alongside they will remain engaged in discussions with central banks and regulators to ensure a regulation compliant and efficient framework within which the USC can be implemented.

Hyder Jaffrey, Head of Strategic Investment & FinTech Innovation at UBS Investment Bank stated, "Digital cash is a core component of a future financial market fabric based on blockchain technologies.” He further added, "There are several digital cash models being explored across the Street. The Utility Settlement Coin is focused on facilitating a new model for digital central bank cash."

Paul Maley, Managing Director, Institutional Client Group, Deutsche Bank noted, "As today's settlement and clearing is a process involving many institutions, it's vital that we collaborate with our peers to develop viable alternatives to current models, creating new digital capabilities for the financial services industry.”

Blockchain Buzz

Blockchain, the “digital ledger” or the underlying technology behind Bitcoin, has gained attraction for its significant potential to revamp the extensive and complex network of bank payments as well as settlements. While Bitcoin was one of the first cryptographic currencies that drew attention in 2009, several other cryptographic currencies are currently available including Novacoin, Namecoin and Dogecoin.

Last December The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) filed a patent application with the US Patent & Trademark Office for a new cryptocurrency called SETLcoin. While Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) is currently working on the development of its own digital currency “Citicoin,” JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) partnered with start-up firm Digital Asset Holdings earlier this year to launch a trial project that utilizes the blockchain technology.

Bottom line

The latest development tied with Blockchain platform crops up as banks are embracing technology and are continuously looking out for ways to restructure daily operations, update back-office functions and making huge investments for auto execution of transactions. While banks and regulators continue to explore prospects and benefits of digital currencies, concerns including security and impact on the broader financial system still lingers.

JPMORGAN CHASE (JPM): Free Stock Analysis Report

BANK OF NY MELL (BK): Free Stock Analysis Report

CITIGROUP INC (C): Free Stock Analysis Report

UBS GROUP AG (UBS): Free Stock Analysis Report

DEUTSCHE BK AG (DB): Free Stock Analysis Report

BANCO SANTAN SA (SAN): Free Stock Analysis Report

GOLDMAN SACHS (GS): Free Stock Analysis Report

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